Roy Keane has never been one to shy away from saying exactly what he thinks.

Even during his successful 12-year stint as a Manchester United player, the 42-year-old would criticise his teammates or the supporters on occasions.

It is expected that he will be named as the assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland shortly.

It was while representing his country at the 2002 World Cup that he had an infamous bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy, which ended with Keane returning home having not kicked a ball.

So, as he prepares to return to the game, Sports Mole has picked out 10 of the Irishman's most memorable quotes from down the years.

"Mick, you're a liar...you're a fucking wanker. I didn't rate you as a player, I don't rate you as a manager, and I don't rate you as a person. You're a fucking wanker and you can stick your World Cup up your arse. The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country! You can stick it up your bollocks."
To Mick McCarthy at the 2002 World Cup, according to Niall Quinn's autobiography

"I don't think some of the people who come to Old Trafford can spell football, never mind understand it. Sometimes you wonder, do they understand the game of football? They have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don't realise what's going on out on the pitch."
Criticising some of the fans who attend matches at Old Trafford

"Just because you are paid £120,000 a week and play well for 20 minutes against Tottenham, you think you are a superstar. The younger players have been let down by some of the experienced players. They are just not leading. There is a shortage of characters in this team. It seems to be in this club that you have to play badly to be rewarded. Maybe that's what I should do when I come back. Play badly."
An interview with MUTV that was never aired

"I'd waited long enough. I fucking hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you c***. And don't ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries."
Talking about the Alf Inge Haaland tackle in his autobiography

"People look back on my career and think the injuries and leaving the Ireland team at the World Cup were the disappointments. None of that stuff comes into it. The biggest disappointments were the games we lost in Europe. Years when we just got sucked into the bull, 'the final is in Glasgow this season, the manager's home city,' as if that entitled us to a break. 'The final's in Old Trafford this season, made for us.'

"People got sucked into that. Even that night in Barcelona, it was a great night in the history of the club, and it will be hard to beat it, but you knew some people had reached their height. It's human nature. I was frustrated by this. I wanted to get back there again, because as much as I thought we were a good team, until you get to a second or third final, you don't confirm it. It disappoints me that I didn't win the World Cup. People say 'but Roy, you played for Ireland, you were never going to win the World Cup'. I never saw it like that."
Discussing any regrets that he has

"Patrick Vieira is 6'4", and he starts having a go at Gary Neville, so I said 'come on have a go at me,' that's it."
Reflecting on an altercation with Patrick Vieira in the Highbury tunnel

"Will those on TV yesterday be remembered for what they've achieved? None whatsoever. I wouldn't trust them to walk my dog. There are ex-players and ex-referees being given air-time who I wouldn't listen to in a pub."
On some of the pundits involved within the game

"If you love Senegal so much, why don't you go play for them?"
Also aimed at Vieira

"If they don't want to come because their wife wants to go shopping in London, it's a sad state of affairs. To me, that player is weak because his wife runs his life."
On the influence of WAGs on players

"I remember having conversations about loyalty when I was at the club. I don't think he knows the meaning of the word. To constantly criticise other players that brought him success. I won't be losing any sleep over it."
Responding to criticism written about him by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson